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Sydney Catholic Schools

Sydney Catholic Schools announces new Sports Council

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, today announced the formation of a new Sports Council via an online video message to all students, parents and staff.

The Sports Council will play a pivotal role in the streamlining of structural and administration functions in Sport across all 150 primary and secondary schools in the Sydney Catholic Schools system.

In case you missed it, you can watch Mr Farley’s announcement via the live link below:

About the Sports Council

Chaired by Dr Kate O’Brien, Sydney Catholic Schools’ Director: Education and Research, the Sports Council aims to create more sporting opportunities for students at all levels, as well as increasing access to participation in elite sport.

Another focus of the Council will be the expansion of inter-school sport, introducing new sports within schools, and creating more before and after school sporting programs.  

Together with Dr O’Brien, the Council is made up of five internal experts and three external experts who will help connect Sydney Catholic Schools with the wider sports industry.

Sports Council Members
December 3, 2021|
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2021 Primary Sports Awards winners announced

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) has recognised the achievements of more than 130 student athletes during this year’s virtual Primary Sports Awards ceremony.

Seven young rising sports stars were also lauded during the ceremony on Friday 3 December. 

In case you missed it, you can still watch the ceremony via the live link below.

Hosted by Damien Kerr, Manager: Pre to Post Sport at SCS, the Primary Sports Awards also featured guest appearances from Kim Green (former Australian netballer and St Patrick’s College Sutherland alumna) and Michael Ennis (former NSW rugby league star and current Fox Sports presenter).

Seven students were presented with sport medallions after demonstrating a remarkable level of representation in their chosen sports throughout 2021.

Each student represented MacKillop on three or more occasions and/or were selected into a NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (NSWPSSA) State merit team during the school year.

SPORTS MEDALLION RECIPIENTS
December 3, 2021|
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WATCH LIVE: Sydney Catholic Schools’ Primary Sports Awards

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) will recognise its high-achieving 2021 student athletes during a Primary Sports Awards ceremony on Friday, 3 December. 

The ceremony will be streamed live on Sydney Catholic Schools’ Facebook page at 9am and will also be available for later viewing on the SCS website and YouTube channel. 

More than 130 students will be congratulated for their sporting achievements during the ceremony, with a special focus on seven rising stars who will receive a sports medallion for demonstrating a remarkable level of representation in their chosen sport. 

The awards will also feature guest appearances from Kim Green, former Australian netballer and St Patrick’s College Sutherland alumna, as well as Michael Ennis, former NSW rugby league star and current Fox Sports presenter. 

Damien Kerr, Manager: Pre to Post Sport at SCS, said the awards will be a great opportunity to highlight the hard work and talent of students this year. 

“Despite an interrupted year due to COVID-19, our students have continued to display a remarkable level of dedication in all sports, at all levels,” Mr Kerr said. 

“We’re excited about being able to celebrate these achievements and to also help inspire our students to keep striving for bigger and better things.”

Dr Kate O’Brien, Director: Education and Research at SCS, said the awards are also a chance to thank the large number of people in our school communities that have contributed to the success of our sporting programs.

“In what has been a challenging year for sport in our schools, we truly appreciate the parents, school and community staff who work tirelessly to support our athletes to excel,” Dr O’Brien said. 

“It really is a team effort and so we are grateful for the …

November 30, 2021|
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St Pat’s teen snares Paralympic bronze

St Patrick’s College Sutherland student Alex Tuckfield has swum into the history books after winning bronze in the Men’s 400m Freestyle S9 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

In what was his Paralympics debut, the 16-year-old recorded a personal best time of 4:13:54 to finish on the podium.

Tuckfield, one of Australia’s youngest athletes at the Games, edged out countryman Brenden Hall for the bronze while fellow Aussie and Tuckfield’s training partner, Martin William, claimed the gold medal.

The performance caps off a meteoric rise for the former St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Como student, who only began swimming at the age of 10.

Eyes on the prize

In the heats, the Year 11 student announced himself as a genuine medal chance when he swam the fastest qualifying time of 4:14:26, beating his previous personal best by 1.8 seconds.

In a competitive final that saw the Paralympic record fall, Tuckfield swam faster again to win bronze behind William and silver medallist Ugo Didier from France.

Tuckfield, who has cerebral palsy, also competed in the Men’s 50m Freestyle S9, finishing 7th in his heat.

The Sutherland Shire local said the Tokyo experience is one that he’ll never forget.

“I honestly didn’t think that I’d win a medal in my first event, at my first international meet, in my first international race,” Tuckfield said.

“I’d been training these past weeks the best I ever have been so I knew I could post something very good.”

“But still… I touch the wall, I turn around and I look at the board and I’m just shocked” – Alex Tuckfield

St Pat's student Alex Tuckfield The St Pat’s student was one of Australia’s youngest athletes at the Games

Tuckfield says one of the most special things about his time in Japan …

September 6, 2021|
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Jaxson gets Schoolboys’ nod

Holy Cross College Ryde student Jaxson Rahme is set to follow a path tread by some of the biggest stars in rugby league after being named in the Australian Schoolboys 2021 Merit team.

The prop forward was rewarded for a stellar year with selection in the 17-man squad, which features some of the best young talent in the country.

Rahme, who was named NSW Combined Catholic Colleges under 18s most valuable player earlier this year, was also recently signed to NRL club South Sydney Rabbitohs’ development program.

It all points to a big future for the 17-year-old, who joins household names like Nathan Clearly and James Tedesco as players who have recently represented the Schoolboys side.

Rahme said being named in the squad was a proud achievement for himself and his family.

“Mum started crying! It was a big moment” – Jaxson Rahme

“It doesn’t matter how good you play, it’s about what the selectors are looking for, so I’m just happy that I’ve been able to fill that role,” Rhame said.

Jaxson Rahme playing rugby league for Holy Cross College Ryde Rahme was named NSW Combined Catholic Colleges’ Under 18s most valuable player in 2021.

Coach White deserves a mention

Rahme credited the rugby league program at Holy Cross and his teacher and coach, Tim White, for helping him realise his ability.

“It’s helped me grow as a player,” Rhame said.

“They’re (Holy Cross) all about discipline, respect and loyalty.

“Mr White has taught me so much about the role that I need to play.”

Mr White, who was also named coach of the Schoolboys side, said he’s seen Rahme go from strength to strength in his time at Holy Cross.

“Jaxson is a player who sees things a play or two ahead and possesses the skill and size to make it work,” …

August 29, 2021|
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Bold new agenda

A school once famous for breeding some of the greatest football stars has put the focus back on excelling in rugby league.

After a slow start at the turn of the century Andrew Neaves and Steve Nikolovski, two teachers at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, decided it was time to wind the clock back.

“Six years ago Steve and I made an effort to bring back the pride in that ‘blue and blue’ jersey and we’ve had some massive success in doing so,” said Mr Neaves.

“The boys that have come through this period have been outstanding young men and they’ve really helped with the (Patrician Brothers’ rugby league) program.”

Mr Neaves says the program has become a big drawcard for parents.

“There’s no two ways about it, the amount of boys that are here for sport and the success that has come off that is definitely a draw card,” he said.

“There’s boys all over the place that want to come in – not just (for) rugby league, but soccer and basketball also.

“Sport really brings the community and college together.”

School snags big name in coaching

The school’s latest coaching acquisition is Australian-born Samoan former NRL star Frank Pritchard, also known by the nicknames of Cranky and Frank the Tank.

“With the addition of Frank Pritchard at the college, we’ve brought in that NRL expertise and it’s doing wonders for the boys not only on the field but also off it, giving them some good life lessons,” said Mr Neaves.

“The work Frank is doing, not just on the field but also the work he’s doing with learning support and the indigenous population here, really adds something to the program that has probably lacked in the last few years.”

Stars of tomorrow

Currently contracted to the Parramatta Eels S.G. Ball team, Year 12 student Larry Muagututia …

October 23, 2020|
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History-making cricketer leads sports at OLR

With a long appreciation of the opportunities sport provides – for structure, friendship, resilience and life lessons – to stoke his commitment on and off the pitch, Rob Aitken has made first-grade cricket history.

The Year 5 teacher and sports coordinator at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield has surpassed the record of NSW premier cricket matches played in the competition’s 125-year lifespan, achieving more than 11,000 runs and 600 wickets across 473 matches.

While Mr Aitken is humble about his success in the game, students at the school are often bowled over by the sporting opportunities he supports them to take.

Teams and sports provide that important social connection.

– Rob Aitken

Access to Catholic and all-school regional, NSW and national representative sport pathways, soccer, netball and touch football gala days, and a famed school handball competition are regular offerings at OLR.

This year, they are joined by specialist six-week cricket and AFL clinics aimed to get more girls participating in sport, and swimming program for refugee students.

“I love being able to give children opportunities to participate in sport because the opportunities that I’ve received have helped to shape the person I am,” Mr Aitken said.

“Teams and sports provide that important social connection that is nice to have through adolescence. I know many of my friends through sport, and it has provided a bit of a structure and framework through which to live my life.”

There are those children in class who are just living for that moment they can get out and play sport.

– Rob Aitken

Mr Aitken currently plays first-grade cricket with the UTS North Sydney Bears and is happy to juggle filing end of year school reports with a hectic weekend playing schedule and additional training. “You get out of it what you put into it, just …

February 14, 2020|
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Sydney Catholic Schools’ students perform an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’

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